Nailers denied win in a battling game
BELPER Town led twice and played well but were pegged back by Lincoln United as the sides drew 2-2 in the Evo-Stik East Division.
Foul conditions did not help either side as they struggled to keep hold of the ball or create many real chances early in the game.
However, it was the Nailers who went in front after 20 minutes with a goal from new signing Ross Duggan, brought in from Maltby Main to replace the departing Kai Hancock.
When a loose ball spun up into the air, Duggan hit an instinctive, controlled, left-foot volley into the bottom corner of the net, giving Lincoln goalkeeper Philip McGann no chance.
Belper were largely on top for the remainder of the first half but could not add to their lead.
It was five minutes before halftime when Lincoln carved out their first real chance but Robert Norris, presented with a similar chance to Duggan’s, could not show the same composure and his volley flew well over.
However, Lincoln were level in bizarre fashion three minutes after the break.
Thomas Garrick’s misplaced cross looped over Nailers keeper Leigh Overton head and flew straight into the top corner.
Belper regained the lead in the 64th minute.
George Milner raced through on goal and was brought down by McGann, who was perhaps fortunate only to see a yellow card from referee Paul Stonier.
Craig Nelthorpe converted the penalty, hitting the ball into the middle of the goal as McGann dived.
United equalised again after 76
minutes when former Belper midfielder Jonathan Williams’ free-kick was too hot for Overton to handle and Matthew Wilson was able to take advantage and bundle the ball home.
Overton made up for it moments later, as he made a couple of fine saves to keep the scores level.
The goal had given Lincoln a new sense of belief and they almost stole all three points in the 83rd minute, having a header from a corner cleared off the line.
Three minutes later, United substitute Kallum Smith received a straight red for a high-footed challenge and could have few complaints.
Then the Nailers almost stole a winner. There was a minute left of normal time when captain Alex Peterson crashed a towering header against the inside of the post but the ball stayed out.
In stoppage time, another Lincoln substitute – and another former Nailer – Kevin Hemagou was also sent off, getting his first yellow for kicking the ball away and a second for arguing about it repeatedly.
Lincoln ended the game with nine men but had played their part in an entertaining game in which a draw was probably a fair result.
“I think we shaded it – I think we had the better of the chances but there wasn’t much in it,” said Belper boss Grant Black.
“Lincoln are a really good side, they’re fifth in the league, but I thought it was a really good performance from us in tricky conditions, obviously for both teams.
“I think anybody coming to watch would not have expected any kind of football to be played so I think it’s credit to both teams that they still tried to play and made it a really entertaining game.”